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THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTS 2014 CLASS

by Stoneman,posted Apr 11 2014 1:07PM

The 2014 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony took place in Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center. A truncated version of the evening's events will air on HBO on May 31st at 9 p.m. The inductees to the Rock Hall class of 2014 were Kiss, Nirvana, Linda Ronstadt, Cat Stevens, Peter Gabriel, Daryl Hall & John Oates.

Ahmet Ertegun Awards went to the Beatles' late manager Brian Epstein and original Rolling Stones manager/producer Andrew Loog Oldham. The Award for Musical Excellence -- formerly known as the Side-Men category -- was presented to the E Street Band, who were inducted by Bruce Springsteen.

Glenn Frey -- who got his major break as apart of Linda Ronstadt’s backing band -- saluted her at the ceremony. Ronstadt did not attend the event, but a show-stopping tribute of her best-loved songs was performed by Stevie Nicks, Carrie Underwood, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, and Bonnie Raitt. Questlove of the Roots saluted Hall & Oates. Surprise inductor Art Garfunkel paid tribute to Cat Stevens, and Peter Asher, of Peter & Gordon and record production fame, did the honors for his friends, Brian Epstein and Andrew Loog Oldham -- who also was a no show at last night's event.

Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello, inducted Kiss, who surprisingly were all on their best behavior and spoke respectfully -- and at times even lovingly -- towards each other as they recalled their early years. The evening's closest thing to a celebrity roast was Coldplay's Chris Martin's induction of Peter Gabriel. R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe inducted Nirvana -- who closed the celebrations by reforming with three women fronting the band -- Joan Jett, St. Vincent, and Lorde, respectively.

THE SCENE BACKSTAGE LAST NIGHT

In one of the most candid moments of the induction, Bruce Springsteen recalled a conversation he had at his home with Steve Van Zandt, who had urged Springsteen to force the Rock Hall’s hand and induct the E Street Band along with him in 1999. Springsteen talked frankly about the reasons and situations as too why he elected to go in as a solo act. Backstage, Steve Van Zandt was asked his feelings pertaining to that: [“Y’know, we were having many conversations about, y’know, the reunion, and all that. And Bruce had tried some things with other players -- as he absolutely has a right to do -- and who can blame him, him trying different things with different people.

Tom Morello was asked about what he made of Kiss’ inner-band issues going into the Rock Hall: [“Well, the way I look at it is; every garage band and every stadium band has beef. There’s nothing special about that. Tonight is about what is special and that’s the awesome band that Kiss is and was, and the four original members and how they rocked my world, how they’ve rocked the planet since. So that other stuff doesn’t matter to me.

Although Kiss came backstage for photo ops, Ace Frehley was the only member to come back and talk to the press: [“Well, most of my influences are older than me. I’m one of the older inductees (laughs), y’know? I grew up with the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin. Y’know, those were the guys that influenced me. I influenced a lot of those guys that are getting inducted — guys like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and everybody else. But I’m so happy to be here, y’know, it’s been 15 years (since the first) could’ve inducted us, y’know? But 15 years later they did. I’m just thrilled to be here and I’m in good company.”

Glenn Frey touched upon how the Eagles learned their craft while serving as Linda Ronstadt’s backing band: [“Obviously the first thing we all noticed was what a great singer she was. And for Don (Henley) and I, to be the two harmony singers to be singing with all these incredible songs that she loved, y’know, was just the step in the right direction for us. We both loved harmony singing, and to be able to do it with Linda was a treat.”

Peter Gabriel said that he’s always been in the right place at the right time to help further his craft: [“I just think I’m very fortunate because I’ve worked with extraordinarily people, great musicians. For me, it’s not about rock n’ roll or any label. I think it was (Count) Basie who said ‘There’s only two kinds of music -- good and bad.’ And that’s what I subscribe to.”

Daryl Hall -- who has been openly critical of Hall & Oates being passed over for the past 16 years -- was asked about how he felt to finally be inducted: [“Y’know what I think? I think it’s all about the past and we’re about the present, if you want to know the truth. I got so much going on personally — and I know John does, too. I actually had to take time off to do this, ‘cause I got so many other projects going on. I mean, that’s not blowing smoke, it’s really true. I got two television shows (laughs), touring (growls) -- on and on and on.”

Michael Stipe was asked about the first time he met Kurt Cobain: [“It was in Chris’ basement in Seattle. He and Courtney had moved into the house next door to my former guitar player Peter Buck. And they lived side by side. They were late to a little party at Chris’ house. The first time I looked into his eyes, I went -- I, I, I get it. He is all that. He is a very special person.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was created in 1983. Artists become eligible to enter the Hall 25 years after the release of their debut single.

The official Rock Hall and Museum opened on September 2nd, 1995 in a building designed by I. M. Pei. The city of Cleveland was chosen after successfully lobbying that "rock and roll" had started with Alan Freed, a Cleveland native who first took to the airwaves in the city.

The first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony took place on January 23rd, 1986 in Cleveland, Ohio. The inaugural class of the Hall of Fame featured rock's forefathers -- Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, Ray Charles, James Brown, Sam Cooke, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Included in the Non-Performer category were Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, and seminal disc jockey Alan Freed.
Also inducted that night in the Early Influence category were blues icon Robert Johnson, country's Jimmie Rogers, and boogie-woogie pianist Jimmy Yancey. Columbia Records' A&R man John Hammond -- who was responsible for discovering Billie Holliday, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen, among others -- received the Hall's first Lifetime Achievement Award.